Have you ever encountered a situation where you connected an external USB to get things done, but instead, the device becomes irresponsive and shows that it is disconnected from the PC? That, too, in the middle of the operation? The issue can be problematic because if the device is removed while in use, its data may be damaged. Not only that, the overall read and write speed, along with the registering capabilities of a storage device, also takes a hit.
In such a situation, users often get confused, as sometimes the error is a false alarm. However, when the prompt appears, people tend to physically check the USB connection, causing a hindrance in the connection and the operation in progress.
So what should you do? How do you deal with a device that has either stopped responding or is a disconnected error on your Windows PC? Keep reading, as we will help you resolve the issue with some ultimate fixes.
Make sure you read the post till the end, as we also have a special tip for you to handle these situations better!
Ways to Fix the Irresponsive/Disconnected Device Error
The error is usually a result of hardware errors. Sometimes, the drive’s connection is loose, while other times, the port itself is not working properly. Other than connectivity issues, errors related to USB drivers and other things are also crucial in the error.
Keep in mind that the error majorly appears when you are trying to copy or move data to and from an external device when it is connected to your PC.
The good thing is that this error can be resolved. But how? Well, here are a few fixes that you can try –
Fix 1 – Check all the Connections & Precautions
Several precautions can help you avoid the issues related to the device having either stopped responding or disconnected. These are –
1. The first thing you should do is ensure that your connection is firm. You should also close all the running applications and operations on the USB to prevent data loss. Eject the drive and reconnect it to see if the error persists.
2. Another thing that you can do is switch the port you were connected to. There are multiple ports available on a PC. Try using a different port to ensure that they are doing fine. Also, make it your responsibility to double-check the connection.
3. If you face this issue with a USB hard drive connecting using an external cable, ensure the cable is original and compatible. The better accessories you use, the fewer chances of errors you have.
4. While connecting the device to your PC, kindly ensure that the drive is not broken or damaged in any way. Even if it has been repaired, use it with caution as that may be the reason you are facing the stopped responding or is a disconnected error.
5. Lastly, if the issue has appeared while moving data from a smartphone, ensure your device is connected in the compatible mode. Every device has a mass storage mode that you need to turn ON before you are ready to transfer data. Ensure that it is ON.
Fix 2 – Check the USB Controller and Disk Drivers
If the connection is solid and the hardware is intact, there are chances that the outdated USB controller drivers and disk drivers have become outdated. Keeping them updated is important, and hence, we recommend that you update the drivers.
Here’s what you have to do –
Step 1- Open the Device Manager on your PC using the Start Menu (Search for Device Manager in the Start menu and hit enter).
Step 2 – Find the USB controller drivers and Disk Drive Drivers in the Device Manager. Spot them and right-click on them to find the Update Driver option.
Step 3 – Using the same, you should be able to find the update wizard. Follow the on-screen instructions.
If all of this seems confusing, we suggest you use the Advanced Driver Updater to update drivers.
Fix 3 – Run the Device Diagnosis Using RUN (Windows 10)
If you are a Windows 10 user, you can initiate the device diagnosis to find and troubleshoot the error.
Note – The same steps may work on Windows 11; however, the troubleshooting has changed in Windows 11. Hence, this method might not be as effective on 11 as on 10.
Step 1 – Press the Win+R key. Use the command msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic and hit enter.
Step 2 – The command will bring up your screen’s hardware.
Step 3 – Follow the steps by clicking on Next and let the troubleshooting process finish. 
After the issue is detected, the troubleshooter will ask you if that is the issue you are facing. If yes, click on it, and it will work on its solution.
Once you have tried these three fixes, the error ” The device has either stopped responding or is disconnected ” will not appear on your PC.
Best Way to Recover Data Lost Due to Irresponsive Device
There is a huge issue related to things that may have already happened due to the error. For instance, if the error appeared while you were moving data, there is a chance that you might have lost that data that was under process. Things get even worse when the data is cut and pasted, and the error appears.
Have you faced a similar situation? If yes, you must wonder how to recover data lost during cut and paste. Well, it seems impossible, but it is possible thanks to Advanced File Recovery! All you have to do is –
Step 1 – Download and Install the application using the link below.
Step 2 – Run the application and select the drive from where you want to restore the files.
Step 3 – Choose the type of file you lost. If there are multiple file types, you can select and scan all data.
Step 4 – Click on Start Scan to Initiate the process.
Step 5 – Once the tool finds the files, click on them to get a preview so you know you are restoring the correct file.
Step 6 – Select the file and click on restore.
Step 7 – Choose the folder where you want to restore the files.
Use these steps, and your data should be recovered. The error “the device has either stopped responding or is disconnected” seems harmless initially but can have lethal repercussions. Hence it is advised that you take care of the fixes and resolve the error as soon as it appears. That will be all for this post. Thanks for reading. Good luck!
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